Homecoming' Activities
Page 1.
New Plans for Student
Elections — Page 1.
THE
ARCHIVES
Bennett Collega
BENNETT MNNER
Congratulations!
SENIORS
STUDKNT rUBLICATION OF BENNTilTT tX)IiIiEiK
VOL. XVII
(,rei-:nsb()R(), norih Carolina, march, 1948
MIMIU'.R (i
Graduates Enjoy Successful Homecoming
Munel Rahn
Appears For Grads
Miss Muriel Rahn, the noted Amer
ican soprano who was presented here
in concert on Friday, February 20,
1948, under the sponsorship of the
Alumnae Association, was born in
Boston, Massachusetts. Miss Rahn’s
education was one of great interest
and variety, for she first entered
school in New York, completed high
school requirements at Tuskegee In
stitute in Tuskegee, Alabama, spent
her first two years of college at Lane
University in Jackson, Tenessee, and
received her B. A. degree in Music
Education from the University of
Nebraska. Immediately following
this. Miss Rahn become an instructor
of music in Winston-Salem high
school.
As a youngster, Miss Rahn had
contemplated a career as on artis
tic dancer, but it was then that she
first encountered personal experi
ence with the race issue, for she came
to realize that the opportunities of
success in the artistic dance world
were almost nil for a Negro. It was
then, too, that she resolved to use
the few weapons in her possession
to better racial relationships. As a
result, her talents were absorbed in
music.
Now that Miss Rahn has had the
opportunity of coming in direct con
tact with the major race problems,
mainly underpayment in the teach
ing profession, plus the lack of facili
ties needed for the same work, she
decided to perfect her one principal
weapon, her lovely voice. She did so
by going abroad for further study be
ginning a life of strict vocal concen
tration under the tutorage of a well-
known voice specialist, Charpientier.
It was not long before she was fully
equipped with poise and ability that
she returned to the United States,
prepared to face an American public
successfully.
Since that time, Miss Rahn has
been a flourishing success in the mu
sical world and has appeared in the
title role of the theatrical production
of Carmen Jones. During World War
II, the government called upon her
excellent talents in Bond rallies,
which were all a stupendous success.
Now, she is making a series of con
cert tours which carry her to all
parts of the world, and it is in this
form that she is able to use her voice
and magnetic personality as weapons
to break down racial prejudice and
injustice.
When Miss Rahn was questioned
as to which part of the South she
thought to be the most progressive,
she said that North Carolina, in her
view, had shown greater advance
ment than any of the other southern
states, particularly in its provision.',
of educational facilities for Negroes.
She went further to say that the day
of equality was not far off, and if our
people were to fulfill prosperously
their rightful places in society, they
must be properly trained now.
In private life. Miss Rahn is Mrs.
Campbell, the wife of her manager,
Mr. Dick Campbell. She has done a
very successful job of combining
matrimony with a career, for the
Campbells have been happily mar
ried for fifteen years. Never has she
spent a Christmas away from her
husband.
It isn’t very often that Miss Rahn
has time for socializing, but she is a
lifetime member of the Delta Sigma
Theta sorority, and has always,
whenever possible, tried to attend
the Kappa Karnival in New York.
Miss Rahn has only one word of
advice as an experienced artist to
give to those who some day wish to
(Continued On Page Three)
Congresswoman
Speaks to Students
Mrs. Helen Gahagan Douglas, rep-
sentative from California, on Sunday
February 15, 1948, during the chapel
hour, delivered an enlightening ad
dress about American politics as re
gards the American people.
Mrs. Douglas urged that we util
ize our American heritage by voting
and by urging others to vote. She
mentioned that the voice of the peo
ple is heard although it may seem
to be drowned in the hubbub of
politics.
In order to cast an intelligent bal
lot, Mrs. Douglas said that we should
keep as well informed as possible on
the platforms and activities of those
in power. Further we should find
out the more local facts, about city
and state governments so we will be
able to recognize what needs to be
done on the national front in order
to affect in a favorable way what is
done locally.
Mrs. Douglas stressed that we
make our dissatisfaction with laws
and rulings known by writing to our
representatives and senators. She
mentioned that the number of let
ters a congressman receives on an
issue may greatly influence his vote
on that issue because it is the ex
pression by the people, who control
his political position.
The United Nations Assembly,
Mrs. Douglas said, is the one great
hope in the world for peace in the
world. She urged that we have faith
in this organization although the way
seems dark at present. Mrs. Douglas
compared the government of Russia,
the other great political force in the
world, with that of the United States.
She pointed out that Russia is now
a “policed state” and that in spite
of her great advances in the develop
ment of her vast resources, Russia
has made these advances by employ
ing the dangerous method of limit
ing her people’s freedom. Here in
America it is true, unfortunately,
th.at all do not share in the freedom,
but nevertheless it is the people who
have the say in who will govern them
and how they will be governed. These
then are the forces which will either
iron out their differences peaceably
or create chaos in a world already
torn by recent war.
So, Mrs. Douglas urged that each
person should first, be informed,
vote, and have faith in the result of
their votes.
New Plans For
Student Elections
We have come again to the time of
the year when officers for the ensu
ing year are to be elected. Feeling
that the students do not take enough
interest in the election of officers the
Student Senate has several new
plans in mind. However, any plan
used will need the full cooperation
of the student body.
It has been proposed that each per
son who would like to run for a cer
tain office would file an application.
The three persons best suited for
each office would be stated as candi
dates. The persons stated would be
chosen by a committe on the basis of
character, scholarship, and ability.
The candidates will each represent
a particular party, give campaign
speeches, and thus get her support
ers. Other ideas are being worked
upon by the cabinet. However, the
Student Senate would appreciate any
suggestions or ideas from any mem
ber of the student body toward mak
ing the forth coming elections effect-
Two)
\jEjqn eieSiCH
Representative of
Swedish Labor Visits
Both students and faculty were
privileged to hear as one of our re
cent chapel speakers Mrs. Elsa B.
Marcuson. This young woman is
originally from Osla, Norway but
since her recent marriage is living
in Stockolm, Sweden. Mrs. Marcuson
is a representative of the Swedish la
bor party and daily newspaper and
is in America gathering data to write
stories on what Americans feel today
and how they live.
One of the important points of her
address was her explanation of the
Swedisli health program. This pro
gram allows a certain amount of se
curity from illness to every person
in the country. Sweden has exten
sive plans for the security of old
people and children.
In a short interview Mrs. Marcu
son stated that her opinion of Amer
ica may not be justified as she has
only been in New York and her trip
.0 Greensboro was her first trip
South. However, she has concluded
from her short observations that
Americans are definitely interested
in labor unions and organized labor.
However, she was surprised to find
that labor does not in a measure con
trol politics. In Sweden as opposed
to America, laborers are interested
in politics.
After leaving Bennett Mrs. Marcu
son plans an extended trip through
out the United States. On complet
ion of this trip she will return to
Sweden and thus begin a series of
articles on what she has observed in
America.
The Bennett Banner wishes to
announce that the April issue of
the paper will be a literary issue.
It will be your issue containing
your creative works. Original
short stories, poems and essays
by various students will be pub
lished. This is not limited to those
students in the English field. If
in your science, history, home eco
nomics, or other classes you have
done something interesting or un
usual, the rest of the students
would be glad to know about it.
Have you any unusual art work
that we could print? We would
be glad to use anything which
shows your creative ability.
Your wholehearted cooperation
is needed to make this venture a
success. If you are interested in
contributing to this issue, please
contact some member of the staff
before March 20. May we depend
on you?
Virginia Jeffries
Attends BKX Confab
Representing the Alpha Zeta chap
ter of Bennett College, Virginia Jef
fries, senior and major in Biology,
attended the regional conference of
the Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Society
held at Morgan State College Febru
ary 6th. Fourteen chapters of the
Eastern District were represented.
The two sessions of the conference
were highlighted with the preggnta-
tion of papers by the chapters deal
ing in scientific problems chiefly re
lated to present-day discoveries. The
morning and afternoon sessions were
presided over by Dr. W. J. L. Wal
lace, of West Virginia State College,
and Dr. George Spaulding, of Mor
gan, respectively. Greetings to the
society were extended by Dr. D. O.
W. Holmes, president of Morgan.
Appreciation was rendered by Dr.
Victor J. Tulane, national president,
fContinuer] On Page Two)
Enjoying an “old times” chat after vespers are, left to right: Misses Annie L.
Gist, ’46; Edwina Marlin, ’45; Janet White, ’46, and Mrs. Ivery Wilson, ’47.
Plans For Revision of
Education Department
After careful consideration the
members of the education depart
ment have concluded that there is a
definite need for a revision of the
education setup here on the campus.
The present plan has not adequately
met the needs of all the students.
Various weak spots have been found
and so a committee has set about to
see just what can be done about it.
One of the main weaknesses of the
present plan is the system of practice
teaching. Many of the practice teach
ers find themselves carrying a dou
ble load. They are expected to keep
up with class work on the campus
and also have stimulating and inter
esting plans for the students which
they teach. Also, many of the stu
dent teachers find that they are re
quired to teach subjects that they
know almost nothing about. The
length of time which the student
teaches is really not sufficient, and
so she leaves her class not having
gained as much from this experience
as she could have. Most student
teachers also find that they are well
equipped with theory but have little
practical knowledge which is so vi
tally important.
Thus a committee has been sug-
rested to work on this issue. Various
suggestions have been offered. It has
been suggested that all the education
be combined into two-year courses.
These courses will include such edu
cational studies as introduction to
education, tests and measurements,
methods, and are phases of educa
tion. Effort is being made to give
the student teacher an entire semes
ter in which she will have no other
1 esponsibilities. It has been suggest
ed that the head of each department
approve each individual before she
is allowed to begin her student teach
ing.
The committee will continue its
investigations into this vital issue
and thus offer to the college a new
and revised program for its future
teachers.
Students Welcome
Weekly Social Hour
A far more interesting Saturday
afternoon can now be anticipated in
stead of the usual bored, lost feeling
brought on by a completely free af
ternoon with nothing to do. The
Junior class has taken care of this by
sponsoring a social hour on Satur-
(Continued On Page Three)
Record Number of
Graduates Return
This year, the annual Homecom-
mg events, beginning Friday, Febru
ary twentieth, and ending Sunday,
February twenty-second, were anti
cipated v/ith much expectation and
enthusiasm. The highest hopes of en
tertainment on behalf of the student
body to be brought nhniit by the
presence of our Bennett Sisters met
unrestrained fulfillment.
The activities were graciously ush
ered in by Miss Muriel Rahn, a noted
American soprano, who was present
ed in concert under the sponsorship
of the Alumnae Association on Fri
day evening, February twentieth, at
eight o’clock. Following the concert,
tlic Graduates and Seniors were
graced with a formal dance in Thirk-
ield Gymnasium, lasting from ten p.
m. until two a. m. Even though we
were not all allowed to attend the
momentous occasion, its immense
success was an added enjoyment to
us all.
On Saturday afternoon, the Grad
uates, along with the celebrities,
v.'ere entertained at the Birthday
Dinner, and once again we were en
thralled by the presence of our Big
Sisters, for they increased its success
and enjoyment a hundredfold as each
member, starting with the class of
’31, through the class of ’47, gave a
cheerful word of greeting and en
couragement. These remarks, cou
pled with the witty and fatherly
comments of our beloved father of
the Bennett Family, President Jones,
produced one of the most successful
affairs of this type in many years.
Later Saturday evening, we were
given still another treat. At the pleas
ure of the Graduates, a basketball
game was played between the Stu
dents and a representation of the
Alumnae Association, a game that
will be long remembered with its
spectacular and fast-moving players.
Although the final score was 32-18
in favor of the students, every one
left feeling alive and refreshed.
Very sadly, Sunday morning, ves
pers brought a stirring close to this
glorious week-end of Family Reun
ion. The services were conducted en
tirely by the Graduates. Those who
were on the Marshal Board resumed
their duties, and those who were in
Ihe choir rendered the situation in
an eloquent and masterful manner.
As the services drew to an end with
the choir singing the three-f old
Amen, so ended the reunion of many,
many happy hearts, hoping to meet
again this time next year.